SF Giants News: Curt Casali, Caleb Baragar and more

A former SF Giants catcher found a new home after Curt Casali landed a one-year, $2.5 million pact with the Cincinnati Reds. This includes a mutual option for 2024. Veteran third baseman Mike Moustakas was designated for assignment in a corresponding roster move.

Former SF Giants cathcer Curt Casali signs with the Reds

For Casali, signing with the Reds is a return to familiar territory. The 34-year-old catcher spent parts of three seasons with Cincinnati beginning in 2018. He was non-tendered by the Reds in December of 2020 and he signed with the Giants shortly thereafter.

Casali proved to be a sturdy backup catcher for both Buster Posey and Joey Bart. He was also a favorite among pitchers and it was hard to argue with that preference as the Giants put together an impressive streak when he was behind the dish.

With Bart emerging as the top option, the Giants shipped Casali along with Matthew Boyd to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitching prospect Michael Stryffeler and catching prospect Andy Thomas at the 2022 trade deadline.

Casali and Boyd both played a small part in helping the Mariners reach the playoffs for the first time in over two decades. Seattle advanced to the ALDS, losing to the Houston Astros in a three-game sweep.

Cleveland Guardians add former SF Giants pitching prospect

Former Giants pitching prospect Caleb Barager found a new home for 2023 after agreeing to a minor league deal with the Cleveland Guardians. This includes a camp invite.

The left-handed hurler was drafted by the Giants in the 2016 draft out of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. In a minor surprise, he made the Giants Opening Day roster in 2020 after being considered a longshot and with minimal Triple-A experience.

That did not affect Baragar as he had a nice rookie season, posting a 4.03 ERA in 24 appearances in 2020. He followed that up with a 1/57 ERA in 25 appearances in 2021, but this came with a 4.30 FIP, so some regression was expected. In total, Baragar has a 2.78 ERA on a major league mound but has been designated for assignment multiple times. Baseball is tough.

Could the SF Giants try buy a prospect from the Cincinnati Reds?

It is very unlikely, but the Giants are in a position where they could buy a prospect from the Cincinnati Reds by taking on the remainder of Mike Moustakas' contract. He has a cap hit of $16 million next season, which is something the Giants can absorb, especially after the Carlos Correa debacle.

The Giants made a similar move a couple seasons ago when they assumed the remainder of Zack Cozart's three-year, $38 million pact from the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels sent middle infield prospect Will Wilson to the Giants for the favor.

It takes two to tango, but the Reds have been in cost-cutting mode over the past couple of seasons. It would not hurt the Giants to pick up the phone to see how eager the Reds are in getting that contract off of their books.